Ellie Karp (she/her/hers)
BM Musical Theatre, Class of 2024

elliegkarp@yahoo.com

Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!

Well, at my school the days vary, and you can arrange your schedule to look how you would like it to depending on what classes fit where. But a typical day for me would probably look like a nice Music Theory class to start off the day, then go to my Keyboard class. Have a little break in my schedule and make my way over to Musical Theatre Studio where my professor brings his dogs to class, they honestly make my day! Then go to contemporary dance and I would get some dinner after that. If I am in a show, I would go to rehearsals in the evening and then head back to my dorm to get some homework done. Then pass out in my bed from a day of hard (but amazing) work!

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

My FAVORITE thing about my program is how supported I feel by my peers and professors as well as the individualized attention I get from my professors as they push me to be the best performer I can be!

What’s something you would change about your program? Why?

If I could change something, it would be the times of certain classes. There have been a couple of instances where I felt I wanted to do two certain classes one semester, but they overlapped time-wise so I had to pick one and take the other next semester.

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

The vibe of my program is mainly super supportive! I never feel judged, and I feel that each person in my program has grown so much over my freshman year, and I love watching people progress, it motivates me to keep going too! I think there is always competition when it comes to auditions, so when auditioning for shows you just have to do your best and the directors will decide what role is going to be best for you. Another vibe of the program that I love is the individuality of everyone and how the program supports that! It is not a cookie cutter program and what makes you unique is awesome!

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

I didn’t realize that I would have voice studio class with my singing professor and all of her students where we could test out material on an audience and see what we need to work on when singing different songs as well as slating. I love it!

What’s something that you think makes your program unique?

The Musical Theatre program at CU is very new and is a Bachelor of Music degree, so which I think is what makes it unique. We receive a lot more music training than a regular BFA program which is important to me as it is becoming more necessary in the industry.

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

This year was a crazy year with covid, but we did end up putting on a show in the spring! I am not super familiar with how the audition processes will work for future shows because we had to do them virtually this year. But the faculty who are working on the show will review your audition and decide who will fit what part best. The faculty at CU are really good at knowing who should be in what role and they decide based on what you bring to the table and your work ethic, so they keep it fair.

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?

You have multiple credits for extracurricular classes that you can fill with classes you are interested in, performance or not! I am in Greek life, and it is very possible to balance both, however you do not HAVE to be in Greek life to feel included in the school community. It is most definitely a personal choice! Students are more than welcome to create their own work and find ways to test it out, it was definitely harder this year because of covid, to find ways to show your own work but I’m excited for future years when that will be easier. I am looking to take minors in dance and business, it is definitely doable. It’s just about talking to faculty members and your advisor to figure out what classes can fit where in order to fulfill those requirements without falling behind in your major. I have friends who are double majoring, and it is a lot of work because the Musical Theatre major is super busy, but you definitely can do it.

Can you travel abroad if desired?

From what I know, yes! I have a friend who is going to London next semester and is studying at multiple drama schools there, which is super exciting, so it is definitely allowed from what I know.

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

It is a BM program, so it is more music heavy. I think there could be a little more guidance on how to focus on acting and dance more to ensure you feel you are getting some balance with music. But by talking to my advisor and professors, I feel that that is getting better.

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

I couldn’t ask for anything better really. The faculty is super supportive but they also know exactly what to do to push you in the right direction so you can grow and better yourself. They understand that there are differences between students, and they encourage us to grow as individuals which helps to create a super encouraging environment which helps with the bond of the students in the program.

Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you? 

Many of the faculty I train with inspire me, but in particular my vocal coach Jennifer DeDominici inspires me every day. She pushes my vocal skills to places I didn’t know they could go, and she is so supportive while doing it. She knows the industry and has done so much and continues to do so while sharing her knowledge with her students. Love her the most!

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

At the end of every semester, students are encouraged to fill out FCQ forms to provide feedback for each class and each professor who teaches that class. This helps professors to know what they are doing well and gives students the opportunity to share how the class could be better. Students are given feedback on their work in the classroom when things get graded and office hours provide a good time to ask for feedback on things.

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

CU Boulder has been improving in this area and has been taking steps in the right direction. Every student learns about the expectations of diversity, equity and inclusion at CU Boulder through an online course and lecture in the fall. We also each studied and learnt an art song by a black composer to ensure we are learning about different styles and appreciating music from different cultures. CU Boulder is and will keep taking steps in this direction to promote greater representation for minority communities.

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?

CU boulder provides a service known as CAPS (Counseling and Psychiatric Services) where students can talk to someone about anything regarding mental health, whether it is coping with stress or anxiety about school or your personal life, there is always someone to talk to who can help with emotional health. CU boulder has great healthcare services where students can book an appointment and get treatment if you get hurt or are not feeling well. They are very efficient and ensure that you leave Wardenburg Medical Centre with exactly what you need to heal whatever you went in for.

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

Feeling lost and not knowing what I was doing. – Everyone going into their freshman year is going to be feeling the exact same way and you all just figure it out together. I was super stressed about finding my way and my friends but there was no need to worry about it. Everyone is in the same boat and will be feeling the same way so just ride it out and you’ll get a feel for things in no time.

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I am all about listening to your gut and trusting it which is basically what it came down to at the end of the crazy audition process when I was deciding between the programs I got into. I took many things into consideration, I visited the school and made sure I talked to the faculty and the students and asked as many questions as possible to really get a feel for the school and the program. But ultimately it was a feeling of belonging that told me CU Boulder was the place for me. I truly felt a family vibe from the students and love that it is a small program in a big school where I still get the full college experience and everyone is super close. SKO BUFFS ☺